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How to be a digital nomad in 7 steps
When we talk about digital nomads, many people picture the idyllic image of someone working on a laptop in a sun lounger by the sea. But let me tell you, that's not reality; nobody can actually work in that uncomfortable position every day. Being a digital nomad means to be able to work from anywhere in the world Thanks to the internet, whether in a coffee shop, a library, a coworking space, or a small, remote village, it's not easy to achieve, nor is it a perfect lifestyle, but it's not bad at all.
In our case, we've been living this way for several years, traveling and working online simultaneously. Along the way, we've met many people who do the same, and everyone experiences it differently. There's no magic formula, but there are many common steps to get started in this world and in this A guide on how to be a digital nomad in 7 steps We will share them clearly and with total transparency.
- What is a digital nomad?
- STEP 1 to becoming a digital nomad: Do you really fit into this lifestyle?
- STEP 2: What are your skills and how to monetize them
- STEP 3: Organize your new life as a digital nomad
- STEP 4: Choose your first destination
- STEP 5 to be a digital nomad: Planificar your routine and habits
- STEP 6: Take the plunge and start your life as a digital nomad
- STEP 7: Maintaining it over time, the biggest challenge
- Conclusion on how to be a digital nomad in 7 steps
What is a digital nomad
Before explaining how to become a digital nomad and share our tips and personal experienceswe need to define exactly what a digital nomad is. Because, although we have all heard this concept at some point, many people do not know what it actually means.
For me, the meaning of digital nomad sticks to what the words mean, that is, a lifestyle in which technology is used to generate online income (digital) while living in different places every so often (nomadic). I don't think it's necessary to define exactly what work tools you need or how long to live in each place because there are as many different people as there are possibilities, and, if it stands out for anything, it's for being a very flexible lifestyle.
Remote work vs. digital nomadism
First we have to to differentiate between teleworking and digital nomadism They look so similar that many people confuse them, but they are not exactly the same.
Being able to work remotely, even in another country, does not imply being a digital nomad since it is something that is done occasionally once or several times a year and you usually have a geographical tie to your job, that is, you have an obligation to be in your city/country most of the time.
On the other hand, if you are a full-time remote worker and live in different places from time to time, then you would fit the profile of a digital nomad.
Most common digital nomad profiles
One of the things that has surprised us most about this lifestyle is the huge variety of digital nomad profiles The opportunity to meet and connect with so many different people is what makes it unique. However, without going into detail, the most common profiles are:
- FreelanceProfessionals who offer their digital services to third parties.
- Remote employeeThey combine the possibility of working remotely with geographical mobility to settle in new places every so often.
- digital entrepreneursThose who set up their own digital projects and manage them while traveling.
- InvestorsThey live off their investments and manage them mostly remotely.
As you can see, these categories are very generic; each one encompasses dozens of different possibilities. We'll talk about some examples later.
STEP 1: : To be a digital nomad: Do you really fit into this lifestyle?
Becoming a digital nomad has been the goal of many people in recent years as it is a very fashionable lifestyle and On social media, only their positive side is usually shown.It's true that it's becoming easier and more people are digital nomads, but not everything is perfect Not everyone is able to fit in, whether for personal, professional, or other reasons.
Below I share the main advantages and disadvantages so you can analyze them and reflect on whether it's really what you want and if you can fit into that lifestyle.
Advantages of being a digital nomad
The advantages vary greatly for each type of person. Since everyone values things differently, what I consider a great advantage might be irrelevant or even a disadvantage for you. That said, I'm sharing a list of what I believe are the main advantages of being a digital nomad.
- Geographical mobilityOne of the most outstanding advantages is that you can choose where to live and change it every so often.
- Economic savingsBy being able to live in cheaper places you can increase your savings.
- Flexible scheduleIn most cases you can choose your own schedule and when to take days off.
- Personal development: Being a digital nomad helps you develop in many ways. Practice languages, learning about different cultures, improving skills, etc.
- More active life: Living in new places, we practice other hobbies such as diving, climbing, skiing, cooking, etc.
- Tax advantagesThis topic is a bit complex and requires a more detailed explanation, which I'll share in another guide, but as a summary, in many cases you can obtain tax residency with lower taxes, which helps you save money.
- Meet diverse peopleYou can meet local and international people and do networking.
Disadvantages of being a tax nomad
Not everything that glitters is gold, and becoming a digital nomad also has a number of drawbacks. Again, this is very personal; for some, some of these disadvantages are simply too much to accept.
- Being away from your friends and familyIt's not mandatory to move to the other side of the world to be a digital nomad, but it is common to live abroad and that usually means seeing your loved ones less.
- Economic instabilityIn many cases, both your income and expenses are irregular and depend on many factors.
- technological dependencyYou need good digital skills to dedicate to it.
- Visas and residence permitsDepending on your nationality and the place you want to visit, visas may be restrictive or carthe.
- SoledadIt is common to feel alone in some situations.
- Connection issuesIt greatly limits the destinations you can visit, and unexpected connection problems can cause you problems and financial losses.
- Lack of routineFrequently changing your place of residence makes it difficult to maintain a routine and healthy habits.
- Finding a good workplaceFinding a good desk, fast internet connection, comfortable temperature and low noise is like finding the holy grail for a digital nomad.
STEP 2:: What are your skills and how can you monetize them?
If the advantages we just talked about convince you and you want to become a digital nomad, step 2 is very obvious: you need to start generating income online.
The options are almost endless.The internet is such a vast world that the only limits are your imagination. Seriously, we've met all sorts of people with the most unusual professions, and we ourselves have even been able to earn income from sources we couldn't have imagined just a few years ago.
Starting out is difficult, and we believe the best option is to dedicate a few days notice what you're good at and see how that fits into the online world. If you can't think of anything, you could search other people with similar skills online and see if they make a living, then understand how they do it and imitate them or reinvent it.
Many people start the nomadic life before having online income and finance themselves with temporary in-person jobs; it's another way of living while traveling, and that's how we started.
If you don't see opportunities in your current skills You can also get training and be a specialist in something that has opportunities in the online world, such as web developer, designer, digital marketing expert, etc.
Examples of how to earn income online
There are many different ways to make a living online, and we can't tell you exactly which is the best. We're not expert gurus, nor do we sell any courses on how to start making money online. But we have met many different people and have our own personal experience, so here are some good examples:
- Content creatorsYou don't need millions of followers to monetize your content. There are creators in all kinds of niches: biology, sports coaches, finance, science communication, cooking tips, healthy habits, etc.
- remote workYou can have a "standard" job with a permanent contract, but perform that position entirely remotely.
- FreelanceThere are all kinds: online language teachers, journalists, web designers, programmers, video editors, marketing specialists, or writers for blogs like this one.
- digital entrepreneurYou can start your own business; again, the options are endless.
STEP 3:: Organize your new life as a digital nomad
Many people skip this stepAnd that's normal; sometimes life as a digital nomad comes to you unexpectedly. You might just try it occasionally and then be hooked. I don't blame you if you decide to skip the organization of your nomadic life because the urge to start is too strong. But good organization will save you a lot of future problems.
Something that you cannot forget Getting good travel insurance is essential to cover medical problems, accidents or unforeseen events during long stays abroadEssential if you're a digital nomad. On these types of trips, where you don't have a fixed return date and you move between countries, traditional insurance often falls short. That's why the best option we recommend is travel insurance. Nomad of SafetyWing, an insurance policy designed specifically for digital nomads and long-term travelers. Its main advantage is the flexibility because you can subscribe for months and renew it automatically while you continue traveling.
Before you set off to travel and explore new places, you should have achieved the following:
- get that your online income should be at least minimally stable.
- Having a small, inexpensive safety mattress to avoid difficulties in a new country.
- Having bank cards with no commissions abroad. Several in case one fails or gets lost.
- Regularize your income according to your situation (self-employed, local business, US LLC, etc.). Managing this remotely can be complicated.
- Plan your budgetIt is extremely important to determine how much to spend on accommodation, activities, food, etc.
- Have travel insurance like SafetyWing.
STEP 4:: Choose your first destination
Now things are getting interesting, because the first destination always sticks in your memory, usually for the better. If you choose wisely and the experience is really positive, you won't be able to stop.
Choosing where to live as a digital nomad It is not an easy task. Because many factors need to be considered. That's why we have a guide where we explain it in detail. How to choose the best destination for Digital Nomads to make a good decision.
The most common criteria They are good internet access, a reasonable cost of living, easy visa processing, and a small digital nomad community. Ultimately, you'll need to choose based on your preferences and what you feel like at that moment, such as living in a big city, by the beach, in a mountain village, etc.
Some very popular destinations for first-time travelers include Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Argentina, Portugal, and Costa Rica, among many others. If you have a specific destination in mind and aren't sure if it's a good idea, feel free to ask me in the comments at the end of the article.
STEP 5: : to be a digital nomad, Plan your routine and habits
Many of you will think that planning your lifestyle is something to consider before choosing a destination, but where you live and for how long will largely determine your habits. Perhaps you have to adhere to a full work schedule due to time zone changes, or the sweltering heat prevents you from exercising outdoors as often as you'd like. The good news is that you can change your routine frequently and find new ways to adapt what suits you best.
You must also train willpower, professionalism, and consistency, since many times you will prefer to spend the day at the beach or sign up for an excursion that has just been recommended to you rather than spend many hours working in front of a screen.
Maintaining healthy habits and Having a certain routine helps a lot in staying well Both mentally and physically. But as a digital nomad, it becomes quite a challenge, especially if you move around frequently. We find it incredibly difficult to define and maintain a routine; it's always high on our list of priorities for improvement.
STEP 6:: Take the plunge and start your life as a digital nomad
The moment we all fear most has arrived: the moment to take the plunge. With the help of the previous steps, you should have already planned how you're going to become a digital nomad and you should be generating your first online income.
It doesn't have to be a leap of faith; you don't need to get rid of all your belongings and say goodbye to your family and friends forever. To make this step easier You can do a test at a nearby locationIdeally, go to a neighboring country for a greater culture shock and to experience new things, although you could also do it in your own country. That way you can see how you feel.
After that, you can travel to a more distant, budget-friendly destination that's considered a convenient and popular spot for digital nomads, such as Mexico, Portugal, or the popular Chiang Mai in Thailand. Once you're in any of these places... Everything will become much easier You'll learn and meet new people quickly during your new life as a digital nomad.
STEP 7:: Maintaining it over time is the biggest challenge.
I'm sure you've heard that famous phrase before... "The difficult thing is not getting there, but staying there" And the same thing happens in digital nomadism. Once you have recurring income and start living in different places, the hardest part is to find a balance.
In some ways, this point is much more reflective and less tangible than the previous steps, and if you haven't yet become a digital nomad, you might find it very difficult to understand the challenges involved. For most people, the lifestyle of Life as a digital nomad has some common challenges:
- Learn to organize and manage your work time and fight burnout, a common problem if you work for yourself, that is, "you are your own boss".
- Look for the suitable travel paceTravel slower, establish routines, and organize rest days.
- Take care of your social environmentYou'll meet lots of new people, but only for a short time; social ties are very weak and you may feel lonely.
- Review your goals regularly; it's proven that Having goals gives you emotional well-being and motivation..
- This control over your finances to be able to maintain this lifestyle for as long as you decide.
- Watch your healthIt's normal to neglect your diet or not practice sports in many destinations.
- Stay in touch with your family and friends and visit them often.
Conclusion How to be a digital nomad in 7 steps
As you have seen, being a digital nomad is not something exclusive to a lucky few, nor is there a magic trick that works for everyone. You must find the way to fit into that lifestyle And fight for it. Nobody's going to give you anything for free, but if you're determined and consistent, you're very likely to achieve the results you're looking for. Don't rush into things; start small, don't be afraid to try new things, and try to generate income in the way that best suits you.
Being a digital nomad isn't about living with a cocktail and a laptop on the beach, but about find a source of income that allows you to design your own lifeFind a lifestyle that you enjoy, experiencing different places every so often. And remember, if you manage to become a digital nomad, strive to find a good balance so you can maintain it for as long as you want.
